Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)
-   HU Travellers Meetings - North America (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/hu-travellers-meetings-north-america/)
-   -   HU Meet NC July 2008? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/hu-travellers-meetings-north-america/hu-meet-nc-july-2008-a-36338)

wide open 4 Jul 2008 22:55

HU Meet NC July 2008?
 
Surprised there's no thread on this - I won't be the only one there will I?:confused1:

gaspipe 5 Jul 2008 03:32

With a little luck, I'll be there. There's lots of good riding around and the crew is always good.

ghostdncr 6 Jul 2008 00:58

I'm in. Plan to arrive at the campground late Wednesday. Anyone else plan on passing through the southern Indiana/Kentucky area on the 16th?

Big Mack 7 Jul 2008 02:37

N. Carolina Mtg.
 
My wife and I plan to arrive Fri. am from S. Ont. Doing a 2 lane ride through Pa. Virginia etc. Looking forward to this. Ride safe. Neil W

wide open 8 Jul 2008 00:31

gaspipe,
I'm looking forward to meeting you, since it's partly your fault that I've built up these desires to start leaving knobby tracks all over the planet. Seriously, your trip reports over on the adv board have been a big source of knowledge and inspiration for me!:clap:

Big Mack,
I'll be riding down from PA on Thursday, arriving Thursday night, which unfortunately means I'll be dueling with the trucks on the interstates in order to get to Robbinsville before dark.
Just in case you don't already know this, if you have the time, either on your north or southbound journeys you should ride as much of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive as you can.
I rode the entire length of both roads a couple of months ago, and would be happy to relay what I know about them if you're interested. In short, they feature some of the very, very, best road riding and most beautiful scenery in the Eastern U.S.

wheels 8 Jul 2008 18:30

HU Travellers Meetings - North Carolina 2008
 
I plan on riding down from Rochester NY - leaving tuesday to arrive sometime thursday ... no definitive route yet but would like to stick to 2 laners if anyone would like to try an meet up give a shout - my first meeting - see you all there

catchmeifyoucan 9 Jul 2008 17:19

This is my first meeting. I'm riding up from Alabama on Thursday. Looking forward to the event.

catchme

Big Mack 10 Jul 2008 00:06

N.C. Meeting
 
Wide Open; We have done bits of the B.P. before, and will likely touch it again. You are right, it is a great ride, and a lovely area in general. We will see you there on an old,blue, KLR.
Neil W

gaspipe 10 Jul 2008 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by wide open (Post 197597)
gaspipe,
I'm looking forward to meeting you, since it's partly your fault that I've built up these desires to start leaving knobby tracks all over the planet. Seriously, your trip reports over on the adv board have been a big source of knowledge and inspiration for me!:clap:

It would seem my diabolical plan is working. I always found the coolest people and the most fantastic scenery are down the lousiest tracks. Lee and I have an interesting slideshow to present on central Mexico. Lots of interesting places.

Look forward to seeing some old acquaintances, and meeting some new ones!

Bruce

ghostdncr 11 Jul 2008 02:24

I'll be at the Iron Horse campground "along the creek", whatever that means. Look for my Red Bull/Repsol Transalp:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/...b1178718_m.jpg

...and stop by for Crown and Coke and a visit. Bring your own chair.

Of course, the bike may look more like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/...75c8706d_m.jpg

...if recent history decides to repeat itself...:rolleyes2:

Jammin 11 Jul 2008 05:18

Hey guys,
It's going to be my first HU meeting and I'm also presenting (on laptops and how to stay connected, etc).
I already took too many days off from work for my recent trip to Alaska :cool4: so will be doing an all-nighter from Chicago to arrive by Friday morning.

ghostdncr, you going to be supplying some Red Bull? cause I'm going to need that to stay awake.

What do people do for lunch? Does the resort have a restaurant, cause I know there's no real towns right there. I'm going to bring some MREs just in case.

Oh, and I hope no one minds that I wont be on a dual-sport or similar (it had a catastrophic engine failure in Alaska :() but maybe there'll be another sport-touring sportbike there...

wide open 11 Jul 2008 13:38

Jay,
I'll be on my road bike, too - a red R12 RT, since I also have to high-tail it down there, and also because my DR's crankcase recently evacuated itself after a skid plate bolt punched the crankcase.

(Story here, if you're really bored: Skid plate blues / aluminum case welding? - ADVrider)

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Brad

JimD 11 Jul 2008 16:45

Jay,

No problemo - Charlene cooks a mean supper, breakfast also. Lunch at a small Mom & Pop nearby. Beer, however, is a 15mi run to another county. All the comforts of home(almost).

murphyiosny 11 Jul 2008 21:19

NC Mtg Route
 
Heading down from New York (via Harrisburg) on Tues PM or Weds AM - depending on when I can sneak out of work. Really looking forward to my first HUBB meeting.

Wide Open's advice sounds good to me - I plan on riding Skyline Drive and as much Blue Ridge Parkway as time allows.

Never been to this area before. I imagine I will have to hop on 81 if time gets short?

Any suggestions on the parts of the BRP that I shouldn't miss?

Thanks,

Bill

JimD 12 Jul 2008 03:50

Bill,

The North Carolina part-------------for sure. If you just have to get in a hurry, get in a hurry early and slow down through NC. :-)

The Parkway has a closed section
Parkway Section Closed to Repair a Failed Retaining Wall

Call them for the latest info------

The park information line at 828 298 0398 has the most updated information on facilities, activities, and road closures.

wide open 12 Jul 2008 19:29

Yup, Possum has it right. If you need to make time part of the way, I'd parallel Skyline Drive on 81. The speed limit, IIRC, is a bit lower on Skyline than on the BRP, and at least when I rode it, there was more RV type traffic on Skyline Drive that was a bit of a nuisance to get around. Also, they were doing quite a bit of resurfacing, and there was a little bit of gravel on almost the entire length of the road. But that was a couple of months ago - the road could be perfect now. And if you have time, it's not to be missed!

The dividing line between Skyline Drive and the BRP is at Waynesboro, VA.
As for the BRP, I'd say on the whole, the Virginia part is more "lovely," while the NC part is more spectacular. But that's splitting hairs - the whole thing is fantastic, both as a bike road and for scenery.

There are probably two or three other minor detours on the parkway - five miles or so at a time, in addition to one longer one, which I guess is the one linked by Possum - I can't remember the mile numbers. In addition to the info he gave, you can also check blueridgeparkway.org, which has a current detour link - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service). Or just don't sweat it and go - the detours are very well marked.

In any event, you'll probably want to split off from the Parkway around Asheville and head west (on some combination of I40 / NC 19 & 28?) toward Robbinsville.

Then either during or on your way back, if you're even remotely interested in motorcycle history, you should head over to Maggie Valley and see the "Wheels Through Time" museum, after which you can ride the southernmost part of the BRP.

It's really hard not to have your :funmeteryes: pegged on a bike anywhere down in that neck of the woods.

JimD 12 Jul 2008 22:17

Speaking of the Wheels Through Time - Home We have two double entry passes (A $24.00 value each) to the museum as door prizes for Friday night, courtesy of Dale, the museum owner, plus 4 tee's he donated. He is moving the museum to Arizona next year so this is your chance to see it without the long ride. Hummm? that might not be bad either.

ghostdncr 13 Jul 2008 01:18

From the Southern end up to Blowing Rock is my favorite section by far. Sorry to hear of the closures between Blowing Rock and Asheville.

"He is moving the museum to Arizona next year so this is your chance to see it without the long ride." Thanks, Possum, for that bit of information! :thumbup1:

murphyiosny 14 Jul 2008 22:33

Thanks for the valuable info guys.

Beer, route and Wheels Through Time. That covers pretty much all the important facts I need to know!

ghostdncr 15 Jul 2008 02:30

I've almost got the bike ready to go. All that's lacking are a few clothes, the electronics, and the camping pack, which should take less than an hour to get cinched into place tomorrow afternoon.

Then early Wednesday...:mchappy:

BTW, if any of you guys see me broken down on the side of the road please wave, or at the very least try to snap a decent picture.

nugentch 15 Jul 2008 20:04

I'm On My Way!
 
I should be arriving tomorrow afternoon. From what I have heard the weather is going to be great for this event.:thumbup1:

Leaky_eddie 16 Jul 2008 16:27

Leaving South Asheville 6:30-7 pm Friday
 
Hey Yall-

Three of us are leaving from Mills River Campground in South Asheville after work on Friday between 6:30 and 7. A KTM, KLR and a Wee-Strom. We'll take FS roads and twisties as much as possible, but we'll get in after dark no mater what. If anyone is getting a late start and wants to ride with us drop me an email dan@peschiodesign.com.

See ya there-

dp

nugentch 16 Jul 2008 20:29

OK Folks! I'm here! Where are you?? :funmeterno:

ghostdncr 17 Jul 2008 05:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugentch (Post 198823)
OK Folks! I'm here! Where are you?? :funmeterno:

Uh, I'm at the shower end of the pavilion camped right on the creek (currently second tent downstream from the building) drinking Tecate with Colin from South Africa. Well, actually Colin has just given up and went to bed and I'm inside the pavilion catching up on emails.

I logged approx. 525 miles today and am planning to ride through Gatlinburg in the morning, not sure why, and then swing around to do the Cherrycola and the Dragon before the HU festivities get kicked off here tomorrow night. Come on over for a visit tomorrow, but bring your own chair.

gaspipe 20 Jul 2008 23:00

Great to see some new faces, and reacquaint with others.

Lots of nice presentations, bikes and stories!

See y'all next year,

Bruce

Peter Bodtke 22 Jul 2008 17:00

And then the bike fell over...
 
On my way home from the North Carolina HU Meeting I pulled over for "re-fueling" on the side of Route 81 N, I keep a little spare gas in a back-up container. I moved as far as I could from the stream of traffic, set myself to lift the bike (BMW K75) onto the center stand, then the bike fell right over! I didn't know it, but the center stand must have had a crack or something, and the leg facing me snapped off. The left leg snapped, but I kept pulling up on the "lift handle", so I basicially tipped the bike over myself.

Part of the right side lower wind shield broke off, but nothing that will be missed. The bike was tilted on a slope and difficult to right. Some guys stopped and helped me get the bike back on her wheels. I have to practise my bike lifting...

Good meeting "all you all" (the is the Southern pural for "you all".) I had a great time, learned a lot and made a bunch of friends.

Does anyone know how to contact a guy named Chick? He has some suggestions for me and I couldn't find him when ever I was looking.

Peter Bodtke

ghostdncr 22 Jul 2008 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke (Post 199577)
Good meeting "all you all" (the is the Southern pural for "you all".) I had a great time, learned a lot and made a bunch of friends.

Does anyone know how to contact a guy named Chick? He has some suggestions for me and I couldn't find him when ever I was looking.

Peter Bodtke

Peter, which K75 was yours? I only recall there being two there this weekend. Did you camp by the creek over on the lodge side?

I can't help you with "Chick", but do you know what he was riding? I seem to have attached a lot of people's faces to their bike and user names instead of getting their real contact info.

JimD 22 Jul 2008 19:46

Peter,

"Chick" = Charles Twyman - chickt at erols dot com

By the way, It's y'all.

Y'all ride down to see us next year again, ya heah.

ghostdncr 23 Jul 2008 02:23

Here's the link to my ride report over at ADVrider.com:

2008 US East Horizons Unlimited meeting (Stecoah, NC) - ADVrider

Please feel free to add your own pics and tales if the spirit moves you. Did anybody get a pic of RTWDoug? I didn't but spent about four hours hanging out with him Saturday night. There were so many people I failed to get a picture of!

Peter Bodtke 24 Jul 2008 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostdncr (Post 199585)
Peter, which K75 was yours? I only recall there being two there this weekend. Did you camp by the creek over on the lodge side?

I can't help you with "Chick", but do you know what he was riding? I seem to have attached a lot of people's faces to their bike and user names instead of getting their real contact info.

Ghostdncr,

Yup that waz me, camp by the crick, lodge side, down near the corner. I ride a black K75, New Jersey license plate AMEGA. I presented a trip planning talk, NYC to TdF.

Jim,

Thanks for Chick's email address and for the clarification on proper Southern diction. It was sure fine to meet ya'all.

Peter


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